Introduction:
No matter what season youíre fishing, protecting yourself against the mighty UV
rays of the sun should be a high priority as skin cancer can develop after too
much exposure. Sunday Afternoons have been taking care of anglers and
outdoorsmen since 1990 and continue to do so with apparel that offers high UPF
ratings including their new Island Breeze Shirt.

Sunday Afternoons Island Breeze Shirt
Specifications

Style

Classic Long Sleeve

UV
Protection

UPF
40+

Material

100%
Micro-Polyester Fabric

Colors

Bluestone, White Shell, Linen, Pebble

Sizes

Men's S, M, L, XL, and XXL

Additional Features

Back and Under-arm
mesh vents, single chest buttoned pocket, Sleeve tabs for short sleeve, Wash
and Wear, Wrinkle free, Wicking and Anti-Microbial fabric

MSRP

$60.00

Impressions:
It has been too many years since Iíve reviewed a product from Sunday Afternoons.
In fact, the last product reviewed was their Adventure Hat (August 2003), which I still
use on every trip, so I thought it was time I look into other products they
offer to provide us anglers with better sun protection.

The Sunday
Afternoons Island Breeze CLASSIC STYLED shirt

Sunday Afternoons,
established in 1990, designs UV protective apparel and focuses on this type of
product specifically. One such product that impressed me when I first saw it is
the Island Breeze shirt. This button-down shirt is simple yet stylish and you
can wear it before, during, and after fishing. The shirt has a single button
pocket and sleeve tabs to convert from long to short sleeve when needed. Mesh
vents are in critical areas to provide proper ventilation and the 100%
Micro-Polyester fabric feels soft and comfortable during initial inspection.

A single pocket buttoned classic styling,
making this shirt good for fishing and other occasions

Field Tests:
Iíve had the Sunday Afternoons Island Breeze shirt for over two years now. Iíve
worn it to El Salto, Mexico in July, El Novillo, Mexico in
March where we experienced 100 degree days, and through many more Summer record
heat days here in California fishing for bass, striped bass, rockfish, and
even albacore tuna.

A closer look at the mesh vents

Comfort:
The Island Breeze is excellent in
this category. The fabric, made from 100% micro-polyester, is lightweight and
feels silky soft to the skin when wearing just the shirt alone, and in all
temperatures. The micro-polyester material is also wicking so sweat wonít stay
on your skin for long. I had days in Mexico where I was sweating from head to
toe, yet thanks to the shirt, I still felt dry and comfortable fishing all day
long.

Under-arm mesh vents provide excellent
ventilation. It also runs past the armpits and down a little

Not only does the fabric
feel comfortable, itís also in the design of the shirt itself beginning with the
correct cut and fit. The Sunday Afternoons shirt is cut generously and is loose
all around yet is designed to fit correctly without feeling baggy.

Back vents on the Island Breeze

Loose, soft and
lightweight material makes the Island Breeze an ideal shirt for anglers to wear
during the Summer months. But an outdoors shirt isnít complete without
ventilation. Sunday Afternoons makes copious use of mesh underneath the arms and back for effective
ventilation for maximum comfort. The mesh in the underarm area runs from the armpit
to an inch above the cuff.